Measurements of biochemical markers of pollution in mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis from coastal areas of the Saronikos Gulf (Greece)

Alterations in a number of biochemical parameters in marine organisms represent specific markers of exposure to particular classes of contaminants. They are used as tools for the detection and monitoring of pollution. In this study, two biochemical markers of pollution, metallothionein (MT) content and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity were measured in indigenous and transplanted mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis from coastal areas within the Saronikos Gulf subject to high anthropogenic activities. Biannual measurements of the two biomarkers in indigenous mussel populations for two years revealed no significant differences among stations representing a pollution gradient. Limited differences in MT levels were only found between mussel populations transplanted at lesser and more impacted stations. Both biomarkers showed a variation with respect to the season of sampling, whilst during the second year of measurements a concomitant increase in metallothionein content with a decrease in acetylcholinesterase activity was noted. Our results indicate that the applied biochemical markers in indigenous mussel populations do not reflect the type of pollution in the Saronikos Gulf to a degree that can be used for pollution monitoring in the area

Detection of Cathelicidin-1 in the Milk as an Early Indicator of Mastitis in Ewes

The objective of the study was the investigation of the behaviour of cathelicidin-1 in the milk after experimental infection with two prominent bacterial pathogens (experiment 1: Mannheimia haemolytica, experiment 2: M. haemolytica and Staphylococcus chromogenes) as a potential early indicator for diagnosis of mastitis in sheep. In two experiments, after bacterial inoculation into the udder of ewes, bacteriological and cytological examinations of milk samples as well as proteomics examinations [two-dimensional gel electrophoresis analysis (2-DE) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometer (MALDI-TOF MS) analysis] were performed sequentially. Cathelicidin-1 was detected and spot densities obtained from PDQuest v.8.0 were recorded. Associations were calculated between cell content and spot densities as well as between presence of mastitis in a mammary gland at a given time-point and detection of cathelicidin-1 in the respective milk sample. All inoculated mammary glands developed mastitis, confirmed by the consistent bacterial isolation from mammary secretion and increased leucocyte content therein. Spot density of cathelicidin-1 in samples from inoculated glands increased 3 h postinoculation; spot density of cathelicidin-1 in samples from inoculated glands was higher than in samples from uninoculated controls. There was clear evidence of correlation between cell content and cathelicidin-1 spot densities in milk samples. There was significant association between presence of mastitis in the mammary gland and detection of cathelicidin-1 in the respective milk sample; overall accuracy was 0.818\u2014this was significantly greater during the first 24 h postchallenge (0.903) than after the first day (0.704). In conclusion, detection of cathelicidin-1 in milk was significantly associated with presence of mastitis in ewes. The associations were stronger during the first 24 h post-infection than after the first day. Cathelicidin-1 has the advantage that it can be a non-specific biomarker, as simply a \u201cpositive\u201d / \u201cnegative\u201d assessment would be sufficient

Nipple Sparing Mastectomy: A Review of Outcomes at a 1 Single Institution

Introduction Nipple sparing mastectomy (NSM) offers patients who are not candidates for breast conserving treatment an aesthetically pleasing alternative to traditional mastectomy. Some studies have demonstrated its oncologic safety while others have demonstrated residual occult tumor cells at the nipple areolar complex (NAC). These data prompt further review of oncologic outcomes after NSM. Methods A single institution retrospective chart review of all NSMs performed by 4 breast surgeons at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital over a span of 2012-2019. In this cohort we review the reconstruction performed, axillary lymph node status, surgical margins, final pathology, loss of the NAC, recurrence rates, and follow-up. Results In our cohort we reviewed 170 NSMs performed on 105 patients. All patients were female and the average age was 46.9 years. Prophylactic procedures were performed on 43% of patients with 17.1% of patients being BRCA positive. Of those undergoing NSM for cancer (n=94) the associated pathology was 28.8% DCIS, 32.9% IDC, and 3.5% ILC (This accounts for some patients with multiple diagnoses on final pathology). Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) was performed in 52.9% of cases with 10.6% of cases being positive for axillary disease. Margins were positive in 10.6% (n=10) of cases performed for cancer with 8.5% (n=8) of cases having positive margin at the NAC and the remainder being at the deep margin. Based on margin positivity 2.4% (n=4) of patients underwent redo surgery with 1 patient requiring re-resection at the NAC margin and 3 patients having total NAC resection. Total loss of NAC occurred in 5.9% (n=10) of cases due to positive margins (n=3) and necrosis (n=7). Recurrence occurred in 7.2% (n=7) of cases who underwent NSM for cancer. Locoregional recurrence in breast tissue, skin, or axilla occurred in 4.1% (n=4) of cases with 0 recurrences at the NAC. Distant recurrence occurred in 4.1% (n=4) of cases at both liver and bone. Average time to recurrence was 27.3 months. Of the 170 NSM performed 98% had immediate tissue expander placement with 60% converting to permanent sub-pectoral implant reconstruction, 14% latissimus dorsi flap reconstruction, 0.6% delayed deep inferior epigastric artery perforator free flap reconstruction, and 5.2% undergoing delayed free transversus abdominus muscle flap reconstruction. Of all the cases reviewed there was only 1 death. Our average follow-up was 26.7 months. Conclusion We demonstrate similar numbers in our analysis as other studies that have looked at oncologic outcomes after NSM. Although we demonstrate evidence of occult disease at the NAC margin when performing NSM there was no evidence of recurrence at the NAC demonstrating its efficacy and safety. With proper patient selection this procedure can be safely offered as an aesthetically appealing alternative to traditional mastectom

CO2PipeHaz: Quantitative hazard assessment for next generation CO2 pipelines

Without a clear understanding of the hazards associated with the failure of CO2 pipelines, carbon capture and storage (CCS) cannot be considered as a viable proposition for tackling the effects of global warming. Given that CO2 is an asphyxiant at high concentrations, the development of reliable validated pipeline outflow and dispersion models are central to addressing this challenge. This information is pivotal to quantifying all the hazard consequences associated with the failure of CO2 transportation pipelines, which forms the basis for emergency response planning and determining minimum safe distances to populated areas. This paper presents an overview of the main findings of the recently completed CO2PipeHaz project [1] which focussed on the hazard assessment of CO2 pipelines to be employed as an integral part of CCS. Funded by the European Commission FP7 Energy programme, the project's main objective was to address this fundamentally important issue

International mixed methods study protocol to develop a patient-reported outcome measure for all types of chronic wounds (the WOUND-Q)

INTRODUCTION: Most patient-reported outcome measures (PROM) for chronic wounds are specific to a single wound type (eg, pressure ulcer) or part of the body. A barrier to outcome assessment in wound care and research is the lack of a rigorously designed PROM that can be used across wound types and locations. This mixed method study describes the protocol for an international collaboration to develop and validate a new PROM called the WOUND-Q for adults with chronic wounds. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: In phase I, the qualitative approach of interpretive description is used to elicit concepts important to people with wounds regarding outcome. Participants from Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, and the USA are aged 18 years and older and have a wound that has lasted 3 months or longer. Interviews are digitally recorded, transcribed and coded. A conceptual framework and preliminary item pool are developed from the qualitative dataset. Draft scales are formed to cover important themes in the conceptual framework. These scales are refined using feedback from people with chronic wounds and wound care experts. After refinement, the scales are translated into Danish and Dutch, following rigorous methods, to prepare for an international field-test study. In phase II, data are collected in Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, and the USA. An international sample of people with a large variety of chronic wounds complete the WOUND-Q. Rasch Measurement Theory analysis is used to identify the best subset of items to retain for each scale and to

Thermodynamic interpolation for the simulation of two-phase flow of non-ideal mixtures

This paper describes the development and application of a technique for the rapid interpolation of thermodynamic properties of mixtures for the purposes of simulating two-phase flow. The technique is based on adaptive inverse interpolation and can be applied to any Equation of State and multicomponent mixture. Following analysis of its accuracy, the method is coupled with a two-phase flow model, based on the homogeneous equilibrium mixture assumption, and applied to the simulation of flows of carbon dioxide (CO2) rich mixtures. This coupled flow model is used to simulate the experimental decompression of binary and quinternary mixtures. It is found that the predictions are in good agreement with the experimental data and that the interpolation approach provides a flexible, robust means of obtaining thermodynamic properties for use in flow models

Techno-economic assessment of CO2 quality effect on its storage and transport: CO2QUEST: An overview of aims, objectives and main findings

This paper provides an overview of the aims, objectives and the main findings of the CO2QUEST FP7 collaborative project, funded by the European Commission and designed to address the fundamentally important and urgent issues regarding the impact of the typical impurities in CO2 streams captured from fossil fuel power plants and other CO2 intensive industries on their safe and economic pipeline transportation and storage. The main features and results recorded from some of the unique test facilities constructed as part of the project are presented. These include an extensively instrumented realistic-scale test pipeline for conducting pipeline rupture and dispersion tests in China, an injection test facility in France to study the mobility of trace metallic elements contained in a CO2 stream following injection near a shallow-water qualifier and fluid/rock interactions and well integrity experiments conducted using a fully instrumented deep-well CO2/impurities injection test facility in Israel. The above, along with the various unique mathematical models developed, provide the fundamentally important tools needed to define impurity tolerance levels, mixing protocols and control measures for pipeline networks and storage infrastructure, thus contributing to the development of relevant standards for the safe design and economic operation of CCS

Comparison of RCAS1 and metallothionein expression and the presence and activity of immune cells in human ovarian and abdominal wall endometriomas

BACKGROUND: The coexistence of endometrial and immune cells during decidualization is preserved by the ability of endometrial cells to regulate the cytotoxic immune activity and their capability to be resistant to immune-mediated apoptosis. These phenomena enable the survival of endometrial ectopic cells. RCAS1 is responsible for regulation of cytotoxic activity. Metallothionein expression seems to protect endometrial cells against apoptosis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate RCAS1 and metallothionein expression in human ovarian and scar endometriomas in relation to the presence of immune cells and their activity. METHODS: Metallothionein, RCAS1, CD25, CD69, CD56, CD16, CD68 antigen expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry in ovarian and scar endometriomas tissue samples which were obtained from 33 patients. The secretory endometrium was used as a control group (15 patients). RESULTS: The lowest metallothionein expression was revealed in ovarian endometriomas in comparison to scar endometriomas and to the control group. RCAS1 expression was at the highest level in the secretory endometrium and it was at comparable levels in ovarian and scar endometriomas. Similarly, the number of CD56-positive cells was lower in scar and ovarian endometriomas than in the secretory endometrium. The highest number of macrophages was found in ovarian endometriomas. RCAS1-positive macrophages were observed only in ovarian endometriomas. CD25 and CD69 antigen expression was higher in scar and ovarian endometriomas than in the control group. CONCLUSION: The expression of RCAS1 and metallothionein by endometrial cells may favor the persistence of these cells in ectopic localization both in scar following cesarean section and in ovarian endometriosis